Progressive systems on a distributed ledger

ABSTRACT

A blockchain system provides progressive jackpots within a blockchain network of participating electronic devices. The blockchain system includes an electronic gaming machine storing a local blockchain and a system blockchain. The EGM is configured to identify a plurality of transactions for the first progressive jackpot account, each transaction of the plurality of transactions are deposit transactions from the first plurality of electronic gaming devices adding value to the first progressive jackpot account within the local blockchain. The EGM also determines a total sum amount of the plurality of transactions and creates a first deposit blockchain transaction including a first progressive jackpot account identifier and the total sum amount. The EGM transmits the first deposit blockchain transaction to one or more nodes of the second plurality of electronic gaming devices for addition to the system blockchain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of, and claims the benefitpriority of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/841,957, filed Apr. 7,2020, entitled PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMS ON A DISTRIBUTED LEDGER, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/855,439,filed May 31, 2019, entitled PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMS ON A DISTRIBUTEDLEDGER, the entire contents and disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of disclosure relates generally to electronic gaming, and moreparticularly to electronic gaming systems and methods for providingprogressive jackpots using blockchain technology.

BACKGROUND

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs), or gaming devices, provide a varietyof wagering games such as, for example, and without limitation, slotgames, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, videobingo games, keno games, and other types of games that are frequentlyoffered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involvesa player establishing a credit balance by inserting or otherwisesubmitting money and placing a monetary wager (deducted from the creditbalance) on one or more outcomes of an instance, or play, of a primarygame, sometimes referred to as a base game. In many games, a player mayqualify for secondary games or bonus rounds by attaining a certainwinning combination or other triggering event in the base game.Secondary games provide an opportunity to win additional game instances,credits, awards, jackpots, progressives, etc. Awards from any winningoutcomes are typically added back to the credit balance and can beprovided to the player via a printed “ticket” upon completion of agaming session or when the player wants to “cash out.”

“Slot” type games are often displayed to the player in the form ofvarious symbols arrayed in a row-by-column grid or matrix. Specificmatching combinations of symbols along predetermined paths (or paylines)through the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The displaytypically highlights winning combinations/outcomes for readyidentification by the player. Matching combinations and theircorresponding awards are usually shown in a “pay-table” which isavailable to the player for reference. Often, the player may varyhis/her wager to include differing numbers of paylines and/or the amountbet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alterthe frequency or number of winning combinations, frequency or number ofsecondary games, and/or the amount awarded.

Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determinethe outcome of each game. The game is designed to return a certainpercentage of the amount wagered back to the player (RTP=return toplayer) over the course of many plays or instances of the game. The RTPand randomness of the RNG are critical to ensuring the fairness of thegames and are therefore highly regulated. Upon initiation of play, theRNG randomly determines a game outcome and symbols are then selectedwhich correspond to that outcome. Notably, some games may include anelement of skill on the part of the player and are therefore notentirely random.

Some known EGMs provide progressive jackpots (“progressives”). Withprogressive jackpots, the EGM typically contributes a particular amountfor each game round (e.g., a predetermined amount per wager, apercentage of each wager). These small amounts are added to theprogressive, accumulating over time as a jackpot available to be won bythe player. The current value of the progressive is typically displayedon a progressive jackpot meter at or near the EGM to inform nearbyplayers of the current size of the jackpot. The EGMs typically have apre-defined win condition that will trigger the player to win theprogressive jackpot (e.g., 5 special symbols on a slot machine, royalflush on a poker machine, or such). When the player triggers a win forthe progressive jackpot, the player is paid the current total and theprogressive is typically reset to a base amount, allowing theprogressive to begin increasing again.

Some progressives are local to a single EGM (referred to herein as“stand-alone progressives”). Other progressives may be pooled betweenmultiple EGMs (referred to herein as “linked progressives”). With suchlinked progressives, the participating EGMs similarly collect smallamounts per play. Those small amounts are added to a linked progressivejackpot, and that linked progressive jackpot is available to be won onany of the participating EGMs. Typically, a central progressive systemserver is provided as a central accounting device which trackscontributions from each of the participating EGMs, providing jackpottotal amounts to each of the EGMs (e.g., for display locally on theirown progressive jackpot meters), auditing win events, and conductingprogressive resets upon a confirmed win event. Since multiple EGMs arecontributing to the same linked progressive, these progressivestypically rise faster and may be won more frequently. However, suchlinked progressives are traditionally supported by special hardwareinstalled within each EGM (e.g., a progressive controller), as well as acentral server system that communicates with each of the progressivecontrollers (e.g., the progressive system server). Such additionalhardware provides additional cost to an EGM device and typicallyrequires regular regulatory auditing to ensure compliance with locallaws and may present security vulnerabilities or reliability exposuresto operators.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, a blockchain system for providing progressive jackpotswithin a blockchain network of participating electronic devices isprovided. The blockchain system includes an electronic gaming machineconfigured to participate in the blockchain network. The electronicgaming machine includes a memory storing a local blockchain and a systemblockchain. The local blockchain supports a first plurality ofelectronic gaming devices of the blockchain network. The systemblockchain supports a second plurality of electronic gaming devices ofthe blockchain network. A first progressive jackpot is associated with afirst progressive jackpot account defined within the local blockchainand the system blockchain. The electronic gaming machine also includesat least one processor configured to execute instructions which, whenexecuted, cause the at least one processor to identify a plurality oftransactions for the first progressive jackpot account. Each transactionof the plurality of transactions are deposit transactions from the firstplurality of electronic gaming devices adding value to the firstprogressive jackpot account within the local blockchain. Theinstructions also cause the at least one processor to determine a totalsum amount of the plurality of transactions. The instructions furthercause the at least one processor to create a first deposit blockchaintransaction including at least (1) a first progressive jackpot accountidentifier (ID) associated with the first progressive jackpot account inthe system blockchain and (2) the total sum amount. The instructionsalso cause the at least one processor to transmit the first depositblockchain transaction to one or more nodes of the second plurality ofelectronic gaming devices for addition to the system blockchain.

In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for providing aprogressive jackpot within a blockchain network of participatingelectronic devices sharing a blockchain is provided. The method isperformed by an electronic gaming machine participating as a node in theblockchain network. The blockchain is a distributed ledger managing oneor more progressive jackpots offered by a plurality of electronic gamingdevices in the blockchain network. The method includes receiving, at theelectronic gaming machine, a wager for a round of play of an electronicgame. The electronic gaming machine participates in a first progressivejackpot. The method also includes determining an increment amount basedon an amount of the wager. The increment amount is a portion of thewager designated by the electronic gaming machine to be a contributionto the first progressive jackpot. The method further includesidentifying a jackpot account identifier (ID) assigned to the firstprogressive jackpot. The method also includes creating a depositblockchain transaction including at least (1) the jackpot account ID and(2) the increment amount. The method further includes transmitting thedeposit blockchain transaction to one or more nodes of the blockchainnetwork for addition to the blockchain.

In yet another aspect, a computer-implemented method for providing aprogressive jackpot within a peer-to-peer blockchain network ofparticipating electronic devices sharing a blockchain is provided. Themethod is performed by an electronic gaming machine participating as anode in the peer-to-peer network. The blockchain is a distributed ledgermanaging one or more progressive jackpots offered by a plurality ofelectronic gaming devices in the peer-to-peer network. The methodincludes determining, at the electronic gaming machine, a game outcomefor a round of play of an electronic game that includes a jackpot win ofa first progressive jackpot. The method also includes capturing acurrent win timestamp identifying a time of the jackpot win. The methodfurther includes identifying a jackpot account ID of the firstprogressive jackpot. The method also includes determining a totaljackpot value of the first progressive jackpot. The method furtherincludes creating a first blockchain transaction including at least (1)the jackpot account ID and (2) the total jackpot value. The method alsoincludes transmitting the first blockchain transaction to one or morenodes of the peer-to-peer blockchain network for addition to theblockchain.

In still another aspect, a system of electronic devices participating ina peer-to-peer blockchain network sharing a blockchain is provided. Theblockchain is a distributed ledger tracking transactions associated withat least one progressive jackpot. The system includes a plurality ofparticipating devices participating in a first progressive jackpot ofthe at least one progressive jackpot. The plurality of participatingdevices is configured to determine increment amounts for each round ofplay of an electronic game, create deposit transactions for each roundof play of the electronic game, and transmit the deposit transactions tothe peer-to-peer network for addition to the blockchain. The system alsoincludes a first device of the plurality of participating devices. Thefirst device is configured to determine a game outcome of an electronicgame that includes a jackpot win of the first progressive jackpot,identify a total jackpot value of the first progressive jackpot, andtransmit a withdrawal transaction to the peer-to-peer blockchain networkfor addition to the blockchain, thereby decreasing a jackpot accountassociated with the first progressive jackpot by the total jackpotvalue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the subject matter disclosed will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of exemplary EGMs networked with variousgaming-related servers.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary EGM.

FIG. 3 is a networked environment of a progressive blockchain system inwhich various devices provide progressive jackpots to potentially be wonat gaming devices using a distributed ledger (e.g., blockchain).

FIG. 4 is a networked environment of a progressive blockchain system inwhich EGMs provide progressive jackpots using one or more blockchains.

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram illustrating various blockchain operationsperformed within the progressive blockchain system.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example method for contributing incrementaladditions to a progressive jackpot using the progressive blockchainsystem and the P2P network shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 6B illustrates an example method for awarding a progressive jackpotwhen the player has won that particular progressive jackpot during gameplay at the winning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A progressive blockchain system is described herein that may be used todecentralize aspects of progressive jackpots, allowing EGMs toparticipate in progressive jackpots using blockchain technology.Decentralized ledger technology (e.g., blockchain) may be used toprovide a distributed ledger amongst participating nodes in a blockchainnetwork that may provide aspects of decentralization, immutability,security, and transparency for transaction data added to the ledger.Conventional progressive jackpot systems using a centralizedarchitecture typically rely upon a server (e.g., a progressive server)to centrally manage some progressive jackpots (e.g., individualstand-alone jackpots local to a particular device, linked jackpotsshared across multiple devices). Such centralization can be subject tocertain exposures, such as server downtime or single point of failure,data integrity risks (e.g., tampering, corruption, hacks), or the like.Aspects of blockchain technology and associated distributed architecturecan provide a technological solution to many of these technicalproblems, allowing blockchain to augment a centralized architecture orprovide an alternative architecture.

In an example embodiment, aspects of blockchain technology are employedby the progressive blockchain system to provide progressive jackpots forgaming devices (e.g., EGMs) participating in one or more permissionedblockchains. Each of the trusted, participating EGMs may offerstand-alone progressive jackpot(s) (e.g., progressive jackpotscontributed to and made available to win only on the local device)during game play, and may additionally or alternatively offer linkedprogressive jackpot(s) (e.g., progressive jackpots contributed to andmade available to win across multiple devices) during game play. In someembodiments, the participating EGMs may offer player loyalty progressivejackpots provided by a player tracking system, and may be controlled bya player tracking server.

To support such progressive jackpots, the progressive blockchain systemprovides blockchain(s) that manage transactions for the progressivejackpots. The progressive blockchain system replaces traditionalprogressive jackpot controllers with a progressive blockchain nodeexecuting as a software service of each participating EGM, therebyallowing that EGM to participate in the blockchain(s). Morespecifically, in example embodiments, the progressive blockchain systemdefines an account (“progressive jackpot account”) within theblockchain(s) for each progressive jackpot supported by the system(e.g., stand-alone jackpots on particular EGMs, linked jackpots sharedacross pools of EGMs). As games are played on the participating EGMs,each game play contributes an incremental contribution to one or more ofthe progressive jackpots (e.g., a fractional amount of a primary wagerplaced during each game round). Each of these incremental contributionscauses the EGM to perform progressive deposit transactions into theblockchain, adding those contributions to particular progressive jackpotaccounts within the blockchain. As such, the progressive jackpot accountaccumulates numerous transactions that contribute to a progressivejackpot total that can be determined and displayed by each nodeparticipating in that progressive jackpot (e.g., based on inspection oftheir own local copy of the blockchain and that particular progressivejackpot account). Upon a progressive win event, the winning EGM or anadministrative node participating in the blockchain (e.g., a progressivesystem server node) determines a current total for that particularprogressive jackpot based on blockchain data for the progressiveblockchain account, decrements that progressive jackpot account bysubmitting a progressive withdrawal transaction into the blockchain, andpays the player based on the withdrawn funds. The administrative nodemay reseed the progressive jackpot account in the blockchain by adding aseed deposit transaction to the blockchain for that progressive jackpotaccount (e.g., adding a minimum reset amount to the progressive jackpotaccount to reset that progressive jackpot to some pre-defined, non-zerostarting value).

In some embodiments, the progressive blockchain system provides a tieredarchitecture of blockchains. The tiered architecture groups EGMs intoEGM clusters. Each EGM cluster includes several EGMs that may bephysically in proximity to each other (e.g., two to twelve EGMs). EachEGM cluster shares a cluster blockchain isolated to that cluster, witheach EGM in the cluster participating in the cluster blockchain as aprogressive blockchain node. An account for each progressive jackpot inwhich the EGMs participate is added to the cluster blockchain, and eachEGM in the cluster adds progressive deposit transactions to the clusterblockchain. There may be several EGM clusters at a given property oracross several properties.

In addition, one node of each EGM cluster is designated as a “leadernode” for that cluster. Each of the leader nodes of the various EGMclusters participates in a “system blockchain” in which dozens orhundreds of EGMs may participate in progressive blockchains. The leadernodes for each cluster act as transaction replicators between thecluster blockchains and the system blockchain. As nodes add progressivedeposits into the cluster blockchain, the leader node for that clusterinspects the blockchain for new progressive deposits. Any deposits newlyadded to the cluster blockchain are then replicated by the leader nodeout into the system blockchain, thereby causing the cluster deposits tobe reflected in the overall system-level progressive. Similarly, theleader node also inspects the system blockchain for any deposits newlyadded by other system-level nodes and replicates those deposits (orwithdrawals) into the cluster blockchain.

In example embodiments, the progressive blockchain system is comprisedof trusted nodes in a permissioned blockchain network. The progressiveblockchain provides no tokenization or rewards for mining, as there isno need to incentivize participation for the work contributed by thenodes. Further, the processing and energy consumption demands to nodeson the blockchain can be reduced by replacing the proof of work (“PoW”)processing with other consensus mechanisms that dictate which node willadd the next block to the blockchain, such as proof of stake (“PoS”),tangle, swirlds, delegated proof of stake, proof of selection, one ormore delegated block generators, or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates several different models of EGMs which may benetworked to various gaming related servers. Shown is a system 100 in agaming environment including one or more server computers 102 (e.g.,slot servers of a casino) that are in communication, via acommunications network, with one or more gaming devices 104A-104X (EGMs,slots, video poker, bingo machines, etc.) that can implement one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. The gaming devices 104A-104X mayalternatively be portable and/or remote gaming devices such as, but notlimited to, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or a game console,although such devices may require specialized software and/or hardwareto comply with regulatory requirements regarding devices used forwagering or games of chance in which monetary awards are provided.

Communication between the gaming devices 104A-104X and the servercomputers 102, and among the gaming devices 104A-104X, may be direct orindirect, such as over the Internet through a web site maintained by acomputer on a remote server or over an online data network includingcommercial online service providers, Internet service providers, privatenetworks, and the like. In other embodiments, the gaming devices104A-104X may communicate with one another and/or the server computers102 over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.

In some embodiments, server computers 102 may not be necessary and/orpreferred. For example, in one or more embodiments, a stand-alone gamingdevice such as gaming device 104A, gaming device 104B or any of theother gaming devices 104C-104X can implement one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure. However, it is typical to find multiple EGMsconnected to networks implemented with one or more of the differentserver computers 102 described herein.

The server computers 102 may include a central determination gamingsystem server 106, a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) system server 108, aplayer tracking system server 110, a progressive system server 112,and/or a casino management system server 114. Gaming devices 104A-104Xmay include features to enable operation of any or all servers for useby the player and/or operator (e.g., the casino, resort, gamingestablishment, tavern, pub, etc.). For example, game outcomes may begenerated on a central determination gaming system server 106 and thentransmitted over the network to any of a group of remote terminals orremote gaming devices 104A-104X that utilize the game outcomes anddisplay the results to the players.

Gaming device 104A is often of a cabinet construction which may bealigned in rows or banks of similar devices for placement and operationon a casino floor. The gaming device 104A often includes a main door 154which provides access to the interior of the cabinet. Gaming device 104Atypically includes a button area or button deck 120 accessible by aplayer that is configured with input switches or buttons 122, an accesschannel for a bill validator 124, and/or an access channel for aticket-out printer 126.

In FIG. 1, gaming device 104A is shown as a Relm XL™ model gaming devicemanufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. As shown, gaming device104A is a reel machine having a gaming display area 118 comprising anumber (typically 3 or 5) of mechanical reels 130 with various symbolsdisplayed on them. The reels 130 are independently spun and stopped toshow a set of symbols within the gaming display area 118 which may beused to determine an outcome to the game.

In many configurations, the gaming machine 104A may have a main display128 (e.g., video display monitor) mounted to, or above, the gamingdisplay area 118. The main display 128 can be a high-resolution LCD,plasma, LED, or OLED panel which may be flat or curved as shown, acathode ray tube, or other conventional electronically controlled videomonitor.

In some embodiments, the bill validator 124 may also function as a“ticket-in” reader that allows the player to use a casino issued creditticket to load credits onto the gaming device 104A (e.g., in a cashlessticket (“TITO”) system). In such cashless embodiments, the gaming device104A may also include a “ticket-out” printer 126 for outputting a creditticket when a “cash out” button is pressed. Cashless TITO systems areused to generate and track unique bar-codes or other indicators printedon tickets to allow players to avoid the use of bills and coins byloading credits using a ticket reader and cashing out credits using aticket-out printer 126 on the gaming device 104A. The gaming machine104A can have hardware meters for purposes including ensuring regulatorycompliance and monitoring the player credit balance. In addition, therecan be additional meters that record the total amount of money wageredon the gaming machine, total amount of money deposited, total amount ofmoney withdrawn, total amount of winnings on gaming device 104A.

In some embodiments, a player tracking card reader 144, a transceiverfor wireless communication with a player's smartphone, a keypad 146,and/or an illuminated display 148 for reading, receiving, entering,and/or displaying player tracking information is provided in EGM 104A.In such embodiments, a game controller within the gaming device 104A cancommunicate with the player tracking system server 110 to send andreceive player tracking information.

Gaming device 104A may also include a bonus topper wheel 134. When bonusplay is triggered (e.g., by a player achieving a particular outcome orset of outcomes in the primary game), bonus topper wheel 134 isoperative to spin and stop with indicator arrow 136 indicating theoutcome of the bonus game. Bonus topper wheel 134 is typically used toplay a bonus game, but it could also be incorporated into play of thebase or primary game.

A candle 138 may be mounted on the top of gaming device 104A and may beactivated by a player (e.g., using a switch or one of buttons 122) toindicate to operations staff that gaming device 104A has experienced amalfunction or the player requires service. The candle 138 is also oftenused to indicate a jackpot has been won and to alert staff that a handpayout of an award may be needed.

There may also be one or more information panels 152 which may be aback-lit, silkscreened glass panel with lettering to indicate generalgame information including, for example, a game denomination (e.g.,$0.25 or $1), pay lines, pay tables, and/or various game relatedgraphics. In some embodiments, the information panel(s) 152 may beimplemented as an additional video display.

Gaming devices 104A have traditionally also included a handle 132typically mounted to the side of main cabinet 116 which may be used toinitiate game play.

Many or all the above described components can be controlled bycircuitry (e.g., a gaming controller) housed inside the main cabinet 116of the gaming device 104A, the details of which are shown in FIG. 2.

Note that not all gaming devices suitable for implementing embodimentsof the present disclosure necessarily include top wheels, top boxes,information panels, cashless ticket systems, and/or player trackingsystems. Further, some suitable gaming devices have only a single gamedisplay that includes only a mechanical set of reels and/or a videodisplay, while others are designed for bar counters or table tops andhave displays that face upwards.

An alternative example gaming device 104B illustrated in FIG. 1 is theArc™ model gaming device manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc.Note that where possible, reference numerals identifying similarfeatures of the gaming device 104A embodiment are also identified in thegaming device 104B embodiment using the same reference numbers. Gamingdevice 104B does not include physical reels and instead shows game playfunctions on main display 128. An optional topper screen 140 may be usedas a secondary game display for bonus play, to show game features orattraction activities while a game is not in play, or any otherinformation or media desired by the game designer or operator. In someembodiments, topper screen 140 may also or alternatively be used todisplay progressive jackpot prizes available to a player during play ofgaming device 104B.

Example gaming device 104B includes a main cabinet 116 including a maindoor 154 which opens to provide access to the interior of the gamingdevice 104B. The main or service door 154 is typically used by servicepersonnel to refill the ticket-out printer 126 and collect bills andtickets inserted into the bill validator 124. The main or service door154 may also be accessed to reset the machine, verify and/or upgrade thesoftware, and for general maintenance operations.

Another example gaming device 104C shown is the Helix™ model gamingdevice manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. Gaming device 104Cincludes a main display 128A that is in a landscape orientation.Although not illustrated by the front view provided, the landscapedisplay 128A may have a curvature radius from top to bottom, oralternatively from side to side. In some embodiments, display 128A is aflat panel display. Main display 128A is typically used for primary gameplay while secondary display 128B is typically used for bonus game play,to show game features or attraction activities while the game is not inplay or any other information or media desired by the game designer oroperator. In some embodiments, example gaming device 104C may alsoinclude speakers 142 to output various audio such as game sound,background music, etc.

Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, videoslot games, video poker, video black jack, video pachinko, keno, bingo,and lottery, may be provided with or implemented within the depictedgaming devices 104A-104C and other similar gaming devices. Each gamingdevice may also be operable to provide many different games. Games maybe differentiated according to themes, sounds, graphics, type of game(e.g., slot game vs. card game vs. game with aspects of skill),denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive ornon-progressive, bonus games, and may be deployed for operation in Class2 or Class 3, etc.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting exemplary internal electroniccomponents of a gaming device 200 connected to various external systems.All or parts of the example gaming device 200 shown could be used toimplement any one of the example gaming devices 104A-X depicted inFIG. 1. The games available for play on the gaming device 200 arecontrolled by a game controller 202 that includes one or more processors204 and a game that may be stored as game software or a program 206 in amemory 208 coupled to the processor 204. The memory 208 may include oneor more mass storage devices or media that are housed within gamingdevice 200. Within the mass storage devices and/or memory 208, one ormore databases 210 may be provided for use by the program 206. A randomnumber generator (RNG) 212 that can be implemented in hardware and/orsoftware is typically used to generate random numbers that are used inthe operation of game play to ensure that game play outcomes are randomand meet regulations for a game of chance.

Alternatively, a game instance (i.e. a play or round of the game) may begenerated on a remote gaming device such as a central determinationgaming system server 106 (not shown in FIG. 2 but see FIG. 1). The gameinstance is communicated to gaming device 200 via the network 214 andthen displayed on gaming device 200. Gaming device 200 may execute gamesoftware, such as but not limited to video streaming software thatallows the game to be displayed on gaming device 200. When a game isstored on gaming device 200, it may be loaded from a memory 208 (e.g.,from a read only memory (ROM)) or from the central determination gamingsystem server 106 to memory 208. The memory 208 may include RAM, ROM oranother form of storage media that stores instructions for execution bythe processor 204. Note that embodiments of the present disclosurerepresent an improvement in the art of EGM software and provide atechnological improvement in the field of EGM technology in that the EGMblockchain technology described herein utilizes aspects of blockchaintechnology to provide a decentralized progressive jackpot amongstmultiple EGMs in a secure fashion and that eliminates the need for sometraditional hardware elements.

The gaming device 200 may include a topper display 216 or another formof a top box (e.g., a topper wheel, a topper screen, etc.) which sitsabove cabinet 218. The cabinet 218 or topper display 216 may also housea number of other components which may be used to add features to a gamebeing played on gaming device 200, including speakers 220, a ticketprinter 222 which prints bar-coded tickets or other media or mechanismsfor storing or indicating a player's credit value, a ticket reader 224which reads bar-coded tickets or other media or mechanisms for storingor indicating a player's credit value, and a player tracking interface232. The player tracking interface 232 may include a keypad 226 forentering information, a player tracking display 228 for displayinginformation (e.g., an illuminated or video display), a card reader 230for receiving data and/or communicating information to and from media ora device such as a smart phone enabling player tracking. Ticket printer222 may be used to print tickets for a TITO system server 108. Thegaming device 200 may further include a bill validator 234, player-inputbuttons 236 for player input, cabinet security sensors 238 to detectunauthorized opening of the cabinet 218, a primary game display 240, anda secondary game display 242, each coupled to and operable under thecontrol of game controller 202.

Gaming device 200 may be connected over network 214 to player trackingsystem server 110. Player tracking system server 110 may be, forexample, an OASIS® system manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc.Player tracking system server 110 is used to track play (e.g. amountwagered, games played, time of play and/or other quantitative orqualitative measures) for individual players so that an operator mayreward players in a loyalty program. The player may use the playertracking interface 232 to access his/her account information, activatefree play, and/or request various information. Player tracking orloyalty programs seek to reward players for their play and help buildbrand loyalty to the gaming establishment. The rewards typicallycorrespond to the player's level of patronage (e.g., to the player'splaying frequency and/or total amount of game plays at a given casino).Player tracking rewards may be complimentary and/or discounted meals,lodging, entertainment and/or additional play. Player trackinginformation may be combined with other information that is now readilyobtainable by a casino management system.

Gaming devices, such as gaming devices 104A-104X, 200, are highlyregulated to ensure fairness and, in many cases, gaming devices104A-104X, 200 are operable to award monetary awards (e.g., typicallydispensed in the form of a redeemable voucher). Therefore, to satisfysecurity and regulatory requirements in a gaming environment, hardwareand software architectures are implemented in gaming devices 104A-104X,200 that differ significantly from those of general-purpose computers.Adapting general purpose computers to function as gaming devices 200 isnot simple or straightforward because of: 1) the regulatory requirementsfor gaming devices 200, 2) the harsh environment in which gaming devices200 operate, 3) security requirements, 4) fault tolerance requirements,and 5) the requirement for additional special purpose componentryenabling functionality of an EGM. These differences require substantialengineering effort with respect to game design implementation, hardwarecomponents and software.

When a player wishes to play the gaming device 200, he/she can insertcash or a ticket voucher through a coin acceptor (not shown) or billvalidator 234 to establish a credit balance on the gamine machine. Thecredit balance is used by the player to place wagers on instances of thegame and to receive credit awards based on the outcome of winninginstances. The credit balance is decreased by the amount of each wagerand increased upon a win. The player can add additional credits to thebalance at any time. The player may also optionally insert a loyaltyclub card into the card reader 230. During the game, the player viewsthe game outcome on one or more of the primary game display 240 andsecondary game display 242. Other game and prize information may also bedisplayed.

For each game instance, a player may make selections, which may affectplay of the game. For example, the player may vary the total amountwagered by selecting the amount bet per line and the number of linesplayed. In many games, the player is asked to initiate or select optionsduring course of game play (such as spinning a wheel to begin a bonusround or select various items during a feature game). The player maymake these selections using the player-input buttons 236, the primarygame display 240 which may be a touch screen, or using some other devicewhich enables a player to input information into the gaming device 200.

During certain game events, the gaming device 200 may display visual andauditory effects that can be perceived by the player. These effects addto the excitement of a game, which makes a player more likely to enjoythe playing experience. Auditory effects include various sounds that areprojected by the speakers 220. Visual effects include flashing lights,strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lights on the gamingdevice 200 or from lights behind the information panel 152 (FIG. 1).

When the player is done, he/she cashes out the credit balance (typicallyby pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from the ticketprinter 222). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or inserted intoanother machine to establish a credit balance for play.

FIG. 3 is a networked environment of a progressive blockchain system 300in which various devices provide progressive jackpots 320 to potentiallybe won at gaming devices 104 using a distributed ledger (e.g.,blockchain) 310. In the example embodiment, the system 300 includes ablockchain network 302 (e.g., a peer-to-peer (“P2P”) network) in whichvarious gaming devices 104 participate in a permissioned blockchain 310that is used to manage transactions for progressive jackpots 320 (e.g.,within a wager-based electronic gaming environment). Participatingdevices may include a variety of different gaming devices 104 including,for example, slot machines, video poker machines, video keno machines,video slots, or other gaming devices used to participate in wagergaming. In some embodiments, participating devices may include personaldevices of players. Further, some infrastructure server devices such asthe progressive system server 112 may participate in the blockchain 310.While the participating devices are coupled in networked communicationthrough underlying networking technology not shown or described here forpurposes of brevity, it should be understood that blockchain network 302shown in FIG. 3 represents devices participating in a peer-to-peerrelationship with other devices permissioned to participate in theblockchain 310, but may also include aspects of centralizedcommunication (e.g., between gaming devices 104 and progressive systemserver 112). Blockchain network 302 may include any underlyingnetworking technologies, hardware, or protocols sufficient to enable thesystems and methods described herein.

The blockchain 310 includes a linked list of blocks 312. Each block 312,in the example embodiment, includes a previous hash 314, a timestamp316, and one or more blockchain transaction records (also referred toherein as “block transaction data,” “TX DATA”, or simply transactions orrecords) 318. As is known in the art, blockchain technology uses aspectsof encryption and digital signatures to create a distributed, immutableledger (e.g., the blockchain 310). The network 302 uses a cryptographichash function (e.g., SHA-256, Merkle Trees, Keccak/SHA-3, or the like)to generate and memorialize a hash of the previous block as the previoushash 314. The block transaction data 318 includes a record for eachtransaction 318 added to a particular block 312. The blocks 312 maycontain other components not expressly called out here for purposes ofbrevity. As is known in the art, all nodes in the network 302 execute ablockchain client that allows participation in the network 302 andmaintains a copy of the blockchain 310 and may also include pendingtransactions received from other peer nodes prior to memorializationinto a new block 312. Further, each node in the network 302 maintains aunique identity in the network 302 and may generate and use a uniquepublic/private key pair, maintaining the private key locally andpublishing the public key to other nodes in the network (e.g., forvalidating transactions 318 added to the blockchain 310). It should beunderstood that the present disclosure uses many aspects of blockchaintechnology (e.g., Blockchain 1.0, Blockchain 2.0 technologies) and,particularly, for permissioned blockchains and smart contracts, that arenot expressly described herein for purposes of brevity.

In some embodiments, the progressive blockchain system 300 is comprisedof trusted nodes in a permissioned blockchain network (e.g., blockchainnetwork 302) that provides no tokenization or rewards for mining, asthere is no need to incentivize participation for the work contributedby the nodes. Further, the processing and energy consumption demands tonodes on the blockchain can be reduced by replacing the proof of work(“PoW”) processing with other consensus mechanisms that dictate whichnode will add the next block to the blockchain, such as proof of stake(“PoS”), tangle, swirlds, delegated proof of stake, proof of selection,one or more delegated block generators, or the like. As such, any of theparticipating devices may be eligible to consolidate transactions 318and add blocks 312 to the blockchain 310 and can avoid the processingoverhead of typical proof of work consensus protocols.

Progressive jackpots (or just “progressives”) 320 are jackpot prizesthat are available to potentially be won on the gaming device, typicallythrough a rare occurrence of a particular game outcome specific to anunderlying electronic game (e.g., a particular set of symbols appearingon a slot spin outcome, achieving a particular poker hand in videopoker, or the like). Progressive jackpots 320 have a jackpot value(e.g., in real or virtual currency) that is incremented by contributions(e.g., micro-transactions) from participating devices (e.g., taking asmall fraction of a wager amount during each round of play at thatgaming device), and thus the progressives 320 grow over time. Someprogressives 320 may have pre-defined minimum or maximum values. In theexample embodiment, the progressive blockchain system 300 supportsprogressive jackpots 320 of two types: stand-alone progressive (“SAP”)jackpots 320A and linked progressive jackpots (or just “linkedprogressives”) 320B. SAP progressives 320A are progressive jackpots thatare available to be won only at a specific gaming device 104X. SAPprogressives 320A receive contributions from the local device, and mayreceive contributions from an infrastructure server such as theprogressive system server 112 (e.g., as a minimum reset amount after ajackpot win). Linked progressives 320B are shared amongst multiplegaming devices 104. Linked progressives 320B are available to be won onthose multiple gaming devices 104, and also may receive contributionsfrom any or all of those same gaming devices 104 or the progressivesystem server 112. Some linked progressives 320B may be local areaprogressives (“LAPs”), in which multiple devices at a single location(e.g., a single casino property, gaming venue, or such) participate inthe linked progressive 320B. Other linked progressives 320B may be widearea progressives (“WAPs”), in which devices from multiple locations(e.g., multiple properties, disparate geographies, or such) participatein the linked progressive 320B. The term “progressive group” may be usedherein to identify the group of gaming devices 104 that participate in aparticular linked progressive 320B. While only one SAP progressive 320Aand one linked progressive 320B is shown here, it should be understoodthat each gaming device 104 may offer any number of SAP progressives320A or participate in any number of linked progressives 320B, and theprogressive blockchain system 300 may support any or all of suchprogressives 320.

In the example embodiment, the blockchain 310 is configured with anaccount for each unique progressive jackpot 320 managed by theblockchain 310. Each “jackpot account” has a unique account identifier(ID) associated with that progressive jackpot 320. The jackpot accountsare used to manage the value of the progressive 320 through time. Forexample, when introducing and configuring a new progressive jackpot 320to the system 300, the progressive system server 112 (or local gamingdevice 104) may create and configure a new account within the blockchain310 (e.g., as an account creation message to the blockchain 310). Insome embodiments, the blockchain 310 may also be configured withprogressive escrow accounts that can receive escrow deposit and escrowwithdrawal transactions (e.g., moving credit between escrow accounts andassociated progressive accounts on the blockchain 310).

In the example embodiment, the participating devices (also referred toherein as “nodes”) of the network 302 perform progressive blockchaintransactions 318 and track progressive data (e.g., current jackpottotals) through the blockchain 310. One example progressive blockchaintransaction 318 performed in the blockchain 310 is a “progressivedeposit transaction” (or just “deposit transaction”). Deposittransactions 318 are transactions 318 that add value to a jackpotaccount, representing an incremental addition to that account. Duringoperation, the gaming devices 104 perform deposit transactions 318 intothe blockchain 310 for each game play round (e.g., as a fractionalportion of a primary wager). Each deposit transaction 318 added to theblockchain 310 includes a jackpot account ID, an increment amount, and atransaction type ID indicating that this transaction 318 is a deposittype transaction. In some embodiments, no transaction type is used fordeposit or withdrawal transactions, but a positive increment amount maybe used to indicate a deposit type transaction and a negative incrementamount may be used to indicate a withdrawal type transaction. In someembodiments, deposit transactions 318 may include a source device ID ofthe contributing device, a game round identifier associated with theround of play at the contributing device, a player ID of the playeractive at the contributing device at the time of the game round, or atimestamp of the game round. In some embodiments, a submitting gamingdevice 104X may participate simultaneously in multiple progressivejackpots and, as such, may contribute an amount to each of thoseprogressive jackpots for each game round. The submitting device 104Xperforms a separate deposit transaction 318 into the blockchain 310 foreach individual progressive 320, using different jackpot account IDs foreach separate contribution. In some embodiments, a single deposittransaction 318 may identify multiple jackpot account IDs, and mayinclude different increment amounts for each identified jackpot accountID, thereby allowing multiple deposits to be aggregated into a singletransaction record within the blockchain 310.

Another example progressive blockchain transaction 318 performed in theblockchain 310 is a “progressive withdrawal transaction” (or just“withdrawal transaction”). Withdrawal transactions 318 are performedwhen a participating gaming device 104 wins a particular jackpot(referred to herein as the “winning gaming device” and the “subjectjackpot”). During operation, in the example embodiment, once a jackpotwin has been achieved at the winning gaming device 104X, the winninggaming device 104X captures a timestamp at the time of the win (“wintimestamp”) and determines a current total jackpot value of the subjectjackpot. In one embodiment, the winning gaming device 104X searches theblockchain 310 for all deposit transactions 318 made to the account IDof the subject jackpot (or just “subject account”) since the time of thelast win (e.g., since the last withdrawal transaction associated with awin event). The winning gaming device 104X adds up all of the identifieddeposit transactions 318 to determine the total jackpot value. Inanother embodiment, the winning gaming device 104X may transmit ajackpot win message (e.g., an off-blockchain network message) to theprogressive system server 112 indicating that the subject jackpot hasbeen won at the winning gaming device (e.g., identifying device ID ofthe winning gaming device 104X, the timestamp of the win time, and thejackpot account ID of the subject jackpot). Upon receipt of the jackpotwin message, the progressive system server 112 may search the blockchain310 for the deposit transactions 318 of that progressive jackpot anddetermine the total jackpot value.

Once the total jackpot value is determined, the progressive blockchainsystem 300 causes that jackpot to be awarded to the player (e.g.,crediting the player's balance at the gaming device 104X with the totaljackpot value, summoning service personnel for a hand pay, crediting aplayer account with the total jackpot value, or the like). Further, thewinning gaming device 104X also creates and transmits a withdrawaltransaction 318 into the blockchain 310. The withdrawal transaction 318includes the jackpot account ID, the total jackpot value awarded duringthis win (e.g., and subsequently reduced from the jackpot account ID),the win timestamp, and a transaction type ID indicating that thistransaction 318 is a win withdrawal type transaction. The withdrawaltransaction 318 may include other win information, such as the device IDof the winning gaming device 104X, a player ID of the winning player, amethod of payment performed for this win event, or such.

In some embodiments, some progressive jackpot accounts in the blockchain310 may be “owned” and controlled by a designated device (e.g., as theaccount holder of the blockchain account for that jackpot). For example,SAP jackpots 320A may be controlled by the associated gaming device 104.For linked progressive jackpots 320B, a central device (e.g.,progressive system server 112) may be the designated owner. In suchembodiments, deposit transactions to the owned progressive jackpots 320may be made by other nodes, but withdrawal transactions from thataccount may be restricted to only the controlling device. Upon a jackpotwin, the controlling device may receive an indication of a win eventfrom another device, and the controlling device performs the withdrawaltransaction, removing the win amount from the jackpot account in theblockchain and transmitting a message to the winning device to creditthe win amount to the player.

In some embodiments, the progressive blockchain system 300 mayfacilitate other blockchain uses for the blockchain 310 andparticipating devices. In other words, the blockchain 310 may supportother types of blockchain transactions 318 unrelated to progressivejackpots 320.

In the example embodiment, any node in the blockchain 310 mayparticipate in creation of blocks 312 (e.g., as miner nodes).

FIG. 4 is a networked environment of a progressive blockchain system 400in which EGMs (e.g., gaming devices 104, 200) provide progressivejackpots using one or more blockchains 412, 422. In some embodiments,aspects of the progressive blockchain system 400 may be similar to theprogressive blockchain system 300 of FIG. 3, and the blockchains 412,422 may be similar to the blockchain 310 shown in FIG. 3. In the exampleembodiment, the progressive blockchain system 400 provides a two-tieredblockchain architecture of EGM clusters 414. The progressive blockchainsystem 400 includes a set of EGMs 410A-N (collectively, EGMs 410)logically grouped together as an EGM cluster 414. EGMs 410 may begrouped into EGM clusters 414 based on, for example, physical proximityto each other (e.g., a bank of EGMs, a room of EGMs at a property, allof the EGMs at a particular property), network connectivity (e.g., bysubnet or IP range, by shared connectivity to a particular networkdevice), or by a logical grouping (e.g., a set of EGMs participating ina particular progressive jackpot, a new set of EGMs recently installedat a property). Each of the EGMs 410 may be similar to the gamingdevices 104 shown in FIG. 1 or the gaming device 200 shown in FIG. 2.The EGMs 410 are network-connected to a local area network (LAN) 402(e.g., an Ethernet/IP network). While not individually numbered, severalEGM clusters similar to EGM cluster 414 are illustrated in FIG. 4. Andwhile not individually numbered, each of those EGM clusters similarlycontains one or more EGMs similar to the EGMs 410 of EGM cluster 414.

In the example embodiment, each EGM 410 participates as a node in acluster blockchain 412. The cluster blockchain 412 is a blockchain thatis restricted to only the EGMs 410 within that cluster 414. Each EGM 410of the cluster 414 executes a blockchain software service (notseparately shown) that allows the EGM 410 to participate in blockchains(e.g., as participating nodes of the cluster blockchain 412 and/or thesystem blockchain 422). Each of the EGMs 410 within the cluster 414shares the cluster blockchain 412, may inspect the cluster blockchain412, may broadcast deposit transactions into the cluster blockchain 412(e.g., as wagers are made in a progressive game), and may bundletransactions into blocks and add blocks to the cluster blockchain 412,validate blocks of the cluster blockchain, or otherwise participate inthe cluster blockchain 412. As such, the EGMs 410A-410N are the set ofparticipating nodes in the cluster blockchain 412. In some embodiments,EGMs 410 are configured (e.g., by a technician) with a clusteridentifier associated with a particular EGM cluster 414 and each EGMjoins the cluster (e.g., during reboot, start-up of blockchain services,or such). A transaction may be added to the cluster blockchain 412documenting the registration events. In some embodiments, the EGM mayadditionally or alternatively register into participation into one ormore progressives. Progressive join or quit events may be added to thecluster blockchain 412, thereby journaling which EGMs 410 areparticipating in any particular progressive at any given time.

Each EGM cluster 414, in the example embodiment, also designates one ofthe EGMs 410 as a “leader node” 416 for that EGM cluster 414. In theexample shown in FIG. 4, EGM_1 410A is currently designated as theleader node 416 for that cluster 414. Similarly, each of the otherclusters also has a leader node 416 designated. The remaining nodes ofthe cluster 414 are considered subordinate nodes 418. Each leader node416, in addition to participating in the cluster blockchain 412 fortheir own cluster 414, additionally participates in the systemblockchain 422. The system blockchain 422 is configured to journalprogressive jackpots across all EGM clusters 414, as well as perhapsother non-clustered EGMs. In some embodiments, the system blockchain 422may also include remote EGMs 432 (e.g., from stand-alone EGMs orsimilarly-clustered EGMs) across a wide area network (WAN) 430. Forexample, local EMG clusters 414 may participate over the WAN 430 withremote EGMs 432 (e.g., with one or more EGM clusters 414 at the remotesite) in one or more wide area progressive jackpots using blockchain422. The collection of EGMs or other devices (e.g., progressive systemserver 112) participating in the system blockchain 422 are referred toherein as system nodes 420. As such, leader nodes 416 participate inboth their local cluster blockchain 412 and the system blockchain 422.In some embodiments, any EGM 410 of a cluster 414 may be designated asthe leader node 416, and the designation of the leader node 416 may bedynamically determined or transferred from one EGM 410 to another EGM410 within the cluster 414 at any time (e.g., if the current leader node416 goes offline or is otherwise unable to participate as the leadernode 416). In some embodiments, the designation of leader node isprovided to an EGM 410 of the cluster 414 that is otherwise idle (e.g.,not currently being operated by a player).

During operation, EGMs 410 generate progressive deposit transactions(e.g., during each play of the EGM) that are broadcast to the other EGMs410 within the cluster 414. One of the EGMs 410 successfully bundles oneor more transactions into a new block and adds the new block to thecluster blockchain 412. As such, the progressive deposits are added tothe ledger of an account for that progressive jackpot within the clusterblockchain 412. Each of the EGMs 410 in the cluster 414 also receive acopy of the new block and can validate the new block and compute anupdated total for the progressive jackpot from the blockchain 412. Thisupdated total is then displayed by the EGM 410 on their own progressivejackpot meter.

Additionally, other EGMs participating in the same progressive jackpotare informed of the new progressive deposits generated by EGMs 410 ofthe EGM cluster 414. More specifically, the leader node 416 of thecluster 414 replicates cluster-level transactions (e.g., progressivedeposits made by cluster EGMs 410) out into the system blockchain 422 as“outbound replicated transactions.” The leader node 416 is configured tomonitor their local cluster blockchain 412 for any new cluster-levelprogressive transactions. Each newly-detected cluster-level progressivetransaction is copied by the leader node 416 and broadcast as a newtransaction out into the system blockchain 422 (e.g., to all of thesystem nodes 420). One of the system nodes 420 bundles those newtransactions, perhaps with other transactions, and successfully adds anew block to the system blockchain 422, thereby updating thesystem-level ledger with updated deposits for the associated progressivejackpot.

The leader nodes 416 also replicate new transactions into their EGMcluster 414 as “inbound replicated transactions.” The leader node 416 isconfigured to monitor the system blockchain 422 for any new system-levelprogressive transactions. In some embodiments, the leader node 416 mayinclude a list of progressive jackpots associated with their cluster 414(e.g., accounts within the blockchains 412, 422 for which any of theEGMs 410 participate within the cluster 414). Each newly-detectedsystem-level progressive transaction is copied by the leader node 416and broadcast as a new transaction into the cluster blockchain 412(e.g., to all of the cluster EGMs 410). One of the cluster EGMs 410bundles those new transactions, perhaps with other transactions, andsuccessfully adds a new block to the cluster blockchain 412, therebyupdating the cluster-level ledger with updated deposits from other EGMsoutside of the cluster 414. Each cluster EGM 410 may then compute anupdated total for their progressive jackpot from the blockchain 412.This updated total is then displayed by the EGM 410 on their ownprogressive jackpot meter.

In some embodiments, EGMs 410 or system nodes 420 contend to bundletransactions and add new blocks to the cluster blockchain 412 or thesystem blockchain 422, respectively, based on techniques known in theart (e.g., by proof of work). In other words, each EGM 410 in the EGMcluster 414 may act as a miner node, and each leader node 416 or othersystem node 420 in the system blockchain 422 may act as a miner node. Inthe example embodiment, at the cluster level, one of the EGMs 410 ineach EGM cluster 414 is designated the blocking node for the cluster414, and that one node collects and bundles all cluster-leveltransactions into the cluster blockchain 412. For example, the adminnode 424 may be designated the blocking node for the blockchain 422(e.g., for nodes 420), the leader nodes 416 may be designated asblocking nodes for their respective clusters 414, or the progressivesystem server 112 may be designated as the blocking node for theblockchain 310. In some embodiments, the EGMs 410 contend to be theblocking node for the cluster 414 (e.g., randomly, by a single proof ofwork contest, by contending for control of a shared resource(semaphore), or such). In some embodiments, the system-level nodes maysimilarly designate a system-level blocking node for the systemblockchain 422 by any of the above-described methods.

In some embodiments, an admin node 424 participates in the systemblockchain 422. The admin node 424 may broadcast transactions into thesystem blockchain 422, access the blockchain 422, or otherwiseparticipate as a node in the system blockchain 422. In some embodiments,the progressive system server 112 may be the admin node 424. The adminnode 424 may perform management operations associated with the variousprogressive jackpots being provided by the progressive blockchain system400. For example, the admin node 424 may administer win eventsassociated with the various progressive jackpots. Upon the occurrence ofa win event at a particular EGM 410, the winning EGM 410 may announcethe event by adding a transaction into the cluster blockchain 412 or thesystem blockchain 422. All EGMs may monitor the blockchains 412, 422 forsuch a win event to determine when the current jackpot is no longeravailable to be won by the local EGM 410 (if that EGM 410 wasparticipating in the associated progressive). The winning EGM 410 mayadditionally or alternatively transmit a win event message directly tothe admin node 424. The admin node 424 may determine a total win amountfor the progressive jackpot (e.g., totalling all of the transactions inthe blockchain 422 since the last win event associated with theprogressive based on a timestamp of the last win event). The admin node424 verifies the winning event and updates the system blockchain 422 toreset that progressive jackpot account. For example, the admin node 424may broadcast a progressive award approval transaction instructing thewinning EGM to award the progressive jackpot to the player and thenreset the progressive jackpot account in the system blockchain 422associated with the progressive to a predetermined progressive resetamount. In some embodiments, the admin node 424 may also seed theprogressive by broadcasting a transaction adding the seed amount to thatprogressive in the system blockchain 422. As such, the progressivejackpot is effectively reset and any progressive deposits, or“progressive increments,” made since win event become available, alongwith the reset amount and any seed amount, to be won by participatingEGMs.

In the example embodiment, the blockchains 412, 422 are configured toadd a new block on a periodic, regular basis. For example, theblockchains 412, 422 may be configured to add a new block to theirrespective blockchains 412, 422 every 0.1 seconds or every 0.5 seconds(e.g., if there are any new transactions to be added). The blockchains412, 422 may define or otherwise include a blocking interval settingthat may be used by the blocking nodes to determine when and howfrequently to bundle transactions and generate a new block. In someembodiments, each of the blocking nodes may share a heartbeat to timewhen new blocks are added into each cluster blockchain 412 and when newblocks are added into the system blockchain 422. The heartbeat inconjunction with carefully timed blocking between the cluster level andthe system level may allow the progressive blockchain system 400 tominimize latency for propagation of transactions out from the clusterblockchains 412 into the system blockchain 422 and subsequently backdown into the other cluster blockchains 412. Shorter blocking intervalsmay generally increase propagation time for transactions through theblockchain 412 and may incur greater resource costs (e.g., moreprocessing time, more total blocks added to the blockchains 412, 422over time). The frequency interval of the leader nodes 416 may beseparately configurable for outbound replication timing going from thecluster blockchain 412 out into the system blockchain 422 or for inboundreplication timing going from the system cluster 422 into the clusterblockchain 412.

In some embodiments, smart contracts may be implemented in theblockchains 412, 422. In one embodiment, win event management may beimplemented as a smart contract. For example, the blockchains 412, 422may be configured with a stored procedure for the accounting operationsperformed upon a win event (e.g., in lieu of, or supplementing theoperations of, the admin node 424). The submission of a win eventtransaction into the cluster blockchain 412 may trigger a storedprocedure that, amongst other accounting and audit complianceoperations, determines the win total for that progressive jackpot fromthe blockchain 412, adds a transaction of the progressive jackpot wintotal into the blockchain 412, adds a transaction resetting theprogressive jackpot to a progressive jackpot reset amount into theblockchain 412, and adds a transaction seeding the progressive jackpotinto the blockchain 412. The amount of the seed transaction may be anamount of all or a portion of a progressive escrow account and the sumof progressive deposit transactions that have occurred since the jackpotwin event.

In some embodiments, the leader node 416 for the EGM cluster 414 mayaggregate outbound transactions before broadcasting transactions outinto the system blockchain 422. For example, during a single time windowbetween outbound replications, the leader node 416 may receive multipledeposit transactions for the same progressive jackpot from one or moreof the EGMs 410. In some embodiments, the leader node 416 replicatesthese transactions one-for-one from the EGM cluster 414 out into thesystem blockchain 422. In other embodiments, the leader node 416 maycombine two or more cluster-level pending transactions associated withthe same progressive into a single transaction that is broadcast outinto the system blockchain 422 (e.g., summing the deposit amounts fromthe individual cluster-level transactions into a sum total for thesingle system-level transaction). As such, less total transactions arebroadcast out into the system blockchain 422. In some embodiments,blocking nodes in the system blockchain 422 may similarly aggregatemultiple system-level pending transactions for the same progressive intoa single transaction to be added to the system blockchain 422. As such,the total number of transactions added into the system blockchain 422 isreduced, thereby also reducing summing computation at each EGM 410 whendetermining current jackpot amounts from the transactions in the clusterblockchains 412. In some embodiments, cluster-level transactions addedto cluster blockchains 412 may include additional or differing datafields than system-level transactions added to the system blockchain422. For example, cluster-level progressive deposit transactions mayinclude data fields such as EGM identifier, timestamp, deposit amount,progressive identifier/account, and player identifier. In directreplication embodiments, the cluster-level transaction data may bereplicated out to the system blockchain 422 as a system-leveltransaction (e.g., one for one). In other embodiments, the leader nodes416 may only use some of the cluster-level transaction data fields whenbroadcasting a system-level transaction. For example, the system-leveltransaction may include a deposit amount (e.g., sum of deposits), aprogressive identifier/account, and a timestamp (e.g., made at the timeof aggregation). As such, total data in the system blockchain 422 may bereduced.

In some embodiments, individual (e.g., un-clustered) EGMs mayparticipate in the system blockchain 422. In some embodiments, theblockchains 412, 422 may additionally include data not associated withprogressive jackpots. For example, the EGMs may use the blockchains 412,422 to memorialize audit data, accounting data, player data, game playdata, administer TITO ticketing services, or other data generated by orotherwise associated with electronic game play at the EGMs. In someembodiments, the progressive blockchain system 400 may implementcomponents or modules of blockchain technology such as is associatedwith Hyperledger Fabric technology. In some embodiments, the progressiveblockchain system 400 may include a third tier of sub-clustered EGMs(e.g., with one EGM acting as leader node between, for example, EGMcluster 414 and a sub-cluster of EGMs (not shown)).

FIG. 5 is a data flow diagram 500 illustrating various blockchainoperations performed within the progressive blockchain system 400. Inthe example embodiment, diagram 500 illustrates both an outboundreplication process and an inbound replication process. For the outboundreplication process, various EGMs 410 within the EGM cluster 414generate deposit transactions 502 during operation (e.g., during gameplay). Periodically, the nodes of the cluster 414 (e.g., the blockchainservices executing on the EGMs 410) collect multiple transactions 502from other nodes of the cluster 414, bundle those transactions 502 intoa new cluster block 504, and may contend with other nodes of the cluster414 to add the new cluster block 504 to the cluster blockchain 412. Inthe example shown here, EGM_2 410B has been tasked to add new clusterblock 504 to the cluster blockchain 412 (depicted here as arrow 506).

The leader node 416 of EGM cluster 414, EGM_1 (“leader node”) 410A,inspects the cluster blockchain 412 looking for any new transactions 502added to the blockchain 412. In the example embodiment, the leader node410A identifies the new cluster block 504 (depicted here as arrow 508)and extracts the new transactions 502 from the block 504. The leadernode 410A then broadcasts each of the transactions 502 out to the systemnodes 420 as new transactions for addition into the system blockchain422 (depicted here as arrow 510). One of the nodes within the systemnodes 420 collects the new transactions 502, and perhaps othertransactions broadcast within the system nodes 420, bundles thosetransactions 502 into a new system block (“new sys block A”) 512, andmay contend with other nodes of the system nodes 420 to add the new sysblock A 512 to the system blockchain 422. In this example, one of thesystem nodes 420 (not depicted) has been tasked to add the new systemblock 512 to the system blockchain 422 (depicted here as arrow 514). Assuch, new transactions being generated from within the EGM cluster 414is both memorialized within the cluster blockchain 412, and is alsoreplicated out to the system blockchain 422, thereby completing theoutbound replication process.

For the inbound replication process, the leader node 410A of EGM cluster414 identifies that a new system block 520 (“new sys block B”) has beenadded to the system blockchain 422 (depicted here as arrow 524). The newsystem block 520 includes new transactions 522 (e.g., one or moretransactions not yet processed by the leader node 410A). The leader node410A extracts the new transactions 522 from the block 520 and broadcastseach of those new transactions 522 into the EGM cluster 414 (e.g., toall of the cluster EGMs 410) (depicted here as arrow 526). While notseparately depicted here, these new transactions 522 may subsequently beadded to the cluster blockchain 412 similar to how the transactions 502were added as described above. As such, new transactions being generatedfrom outside the EGM cluster 414 are both memorialized within the systemblockchain 422, and is also replicated into the cluster blockchain 412,thereby completing the inbound replication process.

In normal operation, transactions 502 propagate throughout theblockchains 412, 422 and are thus available to any of the participatingdevices (e.g., EGMs 410, system nodes 420, admin nodes 424, remote EGMs432, and so forth). However, in some situations, one or more EGMs 410may become separated, segmented, or otherwise disconnected from some orall of the progressive blockchain system 400. For example, presume EGM_2410B becomes isolated from the EGM cluster 414 and the network 402 at apoint in time. In such a situation, EGM_2 410B generates deposits thatare not able to be communicated into the blockchains during thedisconnect. Further, if a win event occurs for a shared jackpot duringthe segmentation, either at the segmented EGM or at another EGM on thebroader, connected blockchain nodes, the progressive blockchain system400 provides methods to deal with the segmentation.

In one embodiment, segmented deposits are applied only to the local EGMor to the segmented cluster while the segmentation is occurring. Whenthe segmented network rejoins with the broader blockchains 412, 422, thequeued (e.g., unreplicated) transactions from within the segmentednetwork are replicated out to the blockchains 412, 422 as newtransactions (e.g., rebroadcast by the segmented EGM or leader node).Further, the segmented nodes reintegrate into the blockchains 412, 422by reacquiring the latest blocks to become current. If no win eventoccurred during the segmentation, then the blockchains 412, 422 will beupdated with the queued transactions and continue normal operation. Inone embodiment, if a win event occurs within the segmented networkduring the segmented event, then the win event is awarded based on thelast good copy of the blockchain in combination with the depositsgenerated within the segmented network. When segmentation is resolved,if no conflicting win event had occurred outside the segmented network,then the replication of the segmented transactions (which include thewin event withdrawal and seed deposit) will merge into the blockchains412, 422 and update the current progressive total naturally. Any deposittransactions occurring in the unsegmented network will not be won by thesegmented win event, but are instead applied to the next win event. If aconflicting win event did occur in the unsegmented network, then theoperator may configure the progressive blockchain system 400 based onoperator preference. The operator may configure the blockchain system400 to honor both win events, or may configure win event protocol todetermine whether segmentation is currently occurring on the winning EGMand resolve the segmentation and conflicting wins manually. In someembodiments, if one or more progressive jackpot win events occur duringa segmented scenario, awarding of the progressive jackpot(s) may bepostponed until the segmentation event is resolved. Following thesegmentation event resolution, any jackpots are awarded based on thetiming of the jackpot win events (e.g., based on timestamps of the winevents, the first progressive win event jackpot may be awarded theamount of the progressive at the time of the win event, the secondprogressive win event jackpot may be awarded the amount of the jackpotfollowing reset and any subsequent accumulated contributions since thetime of the preceding win event, and so forth).

FIG. 6A illustrates an example method 600 for contributing incrementaladditions to a progressive jackpot 320 using the progressive blockchainsystem 300 and the blockchain network 302 shown in FIG. 3. In theexample embodiment, the method 600 is performed by a gaming device 104,200 (e.g., as the “submitting device”) during game play of an electronicgame that participates in one or more progressive jackpots 320 and wherea player 602 submits a wager during a round of game play (e.g., realcurrency, virtual currency). At operation 610, in the exampleembodiment, the player 602 places a wager (e.g., from a balance on thegaming device 104X) during a round of game play and the gaming device104X resolves the round of game play. Associated with that round of gameplay, at operation 612, the gaming device 104X determines an incrementamount for each offered progressive 320. In one embodiment, the gamingdevice 104X increments one or more offered progressives 320 by apre-determined amount based on the primary wager amount made by theplayer 602 during that game play round. For example, the gaming device104X may contribute $0.01 to a progressive 320 when the primary wager isbetween $1.00 and $1.50, $0.02 when the primary wager is between $2.00and $2.5, and $0.03 when the primary wager is between $3.00 and $5.00.In another embodiment, the gaming device 104X may contribute apre-determined percentage (e.g., 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 1.0%, or such) of theprimary wager amount. In some embodiments, the gaming device 104X mayread a configuration record from the blockchain 310 that defines how thegaming device 104X determines increment amounts. At operation 614, thegaming device 104X identifies jackpot account ID(s) for each of theoffered progressives. In some embodiments, the gaming device 104X maydecrement any or all of the increment amounts from the primary wager, asthose funds will be allocated to the offered progressives 320.

At operation 616, in the example embodiment, the gaming device 104Xcreates a deposit transaction 318 having the jackpot account ID for aprogressive jackpot 320 and an increment amount determined for thatprogressive jackpot 320, as well as optionally other deposit transactiondata fields, and transmits that deposit transaction 318 to the network302 (e.g., broadcasting to neighbor nodes, or the like). If, at test618, the gaming device 104X participates in multiple progressivejackpots 320, then the gaming device 104X may transmit an additionaldeposit transaction for each other progressive jackpot 320 offered bythe gaming device 104X, each deposit transaction being directed at adifferent progressive jackpot 320, and with perhaps the same ordifferent determined increment amounts. When no other progressivejackpots 320 remain to receive a deposit transaction, then the gamingdevice 104X returns to operation 610 and allows the player 602 to playanother game round.

In the example embodiment, the deposit transaction(s) 318 propagatethrough the nodes of the network 302 and are eventually bundled togetherwith other transactions 318 and memorialized in a new block 312 that isadded to the blockchain 310 of all participating nodes at operation 620.It should be understood that the operations shown in broken line inFIGS. 6A and 6B are operations performed by a participating node in thenetwork 302 (e.g., a miner node or node that is otherwise tasked withcreating the next block 312 on the blockchain 310), and those operationsare not necessarily performed by the submitting or winning device.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example method 650 for awarding a progressivejackpot 320 when the player 602 has won that particular progressivejackpot during game play at the winning device 104X. While the examplesubmitting device 104X and winning device 104X are described here usingthe same identifier, it should be understood that any participatingdevice 104 may be either the submitting device or the winning device. Inthe example embodiment, at operation 660, the player 602 wins one of theprogressive jackpots 320 (the “subject jackpot”) offered by the winningdevice 104X, and the winning device 104X captures a win time for the winevent (e.g., a timestamp of the win). The winning device 104X identifiesa jackpot account ID for the subject jackpot at operation 662.

At operation 662, the winning device 104X determines a current jackpotvalue of the subject jackpot using transactions memorialized in theblockchain 310. More specifically, in one example embodiment, thewinning device 104X searches a local copy of the blockchain 310 andidentifies all deposit transactions involving the jackpot account ID ofthe subject jackpot since the last time that subject jackpot was won.For example, the winning device 104X may search for the most recentwithdrawal transaction involving the jackpot account ID and may retrievea last won timestamp of that withdrawal transaction. The winning device104X may then search the blockchain 310 for all deposit transactionsinvolving the jackpot account ID that are timestamped with transactiontimes occurring between the last won timestamp and the current wintimestamp collected at operation 660. The winning device 104X may thendetermine the total jackpot value of the subject jackpot by adding allof those identified deposit transactions together (e.g., starting atzero or a pre-defined initial minimum and adding each increment amountinto the total jackpot value). This total jackpot value represents thejackpot award owed to the winning player 602.

At operation 666, the winning device 104X creates and transmits awithdrawal transaction 318 into the P2P network for addition to theblockchain 310. The withdrawal transaction 318 may include the currentwin timestamp, the last won timestamp, the determined total jackpotvalue, the device ID of the winning device 104X, or the like. The newwithdrawal transaction 318 propagates through the nodes of the network302 and is eventually bundled together with other transactions 318 andmemorialized in a new block 312 that is added to the blockchain 310 ofall participating nodes at operation 680. At operation 668, the winningdevice 104X causes the progressive jackpot (e.g., the determined totaljackpot value) to be awarded to the player 602.

In some embodiments, the progressive blockchain system 300 is configuredto implement smart contracts within the blockchain 300. For example, theprogressive blockchain system 300 or another participating node mayupload a jackpot authorization smart contract (not separately depicted)into the blockchain 310 that is configured to perform jackpotredemptions (e.g., perform authentication or authorization tasks beforeawarding the winning device 104X after a win event). For example, thewinning device 104X may be configured to transmit a win notificationblockchain transaction into the blockchain 310, and the smart contractmay be configured to trigger upon detection of any new win notificationtransaction appearing in the blockchain 310. The smart contract may readthe device ID of the winning device 104X and the jackpot account ID fromthe win notification transaction and verify whether the winning device104X is in an inclusion list of devices participating in the identifiedprogressive jackpot 320. In some embodiments, the smart contract may beconfigured to determine the jackpot value at the time of the win event(e.g., based on timestamp in the win notification record, similar tooperation 664). The win notification transaction may include a digitalsignature made by the winning device 104X (e.g., with its own privatekey) and the smart contract may decrypt the digital signature todetermine authenticity of the suspect device 104X attempting to claimthe prize. If the suspect device 104X is not in an approved list ofdevices 104 associated with the identified progressive jackpot 320, thenthe smart contract may deny the payout. If the suspect device 104X is inthe approved list of devices 104, then the smart contract mayautomatically enter a withdrawal transaction into the blockchain 310 tocomplete the payout to the winning device 104X. In some embodiments, thesmart contract transmits a network message directly to the winningdevice verifying the validity of the win event and jackpot value, thusallowing the winning device to provide the jackpot value to the player(e.g., at operation 668).

A computer, controller, or server, such as those described herein,includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory.The computer, controller, or server typically has at least some form ofcomputer readable non-transitory media. As used herein, the terms“processor” and “computer” and related terms, e.g., “processing device”,“computing device”, and “controller” are not limited to just thoseintegrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadlyrefers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logiccontroller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and otherprogrammable circuits “configured to” carry out programmableinstructions, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. In theembodiments described herein, memory may include, but is not limited to,a computer-readable medium or computer storage media, volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.Such memory includes a random access memory (RAM), computer storagemedia, communication media, and a computer-readable non-volatile medium,such as flash memory. Alternatively, a floppy disk, a compact disc—readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digitalversatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, in the embodimentsdescribed herein, additional input channels may be, but are not limitedto, computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as amouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may alsobe used that may include, for example, but not be limited to, a scanner.Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, additional output channels mayinclude, but not be limited to, an operator interface monitor.

As indicated above, the process may be embodied in computer software.The computer software could be supplied in a number of ways, for exampleon a tangible, non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, such ason any nonvolatile memory device (e.g. an EEPROM). Further, differentparts of the computer software can be executed by different devices,such as, for example, in a client-server relationship. Persons skilledin the art will appreciate that computer software provides a series ofinstructions executable by the processor.

While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, itwill be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Any variation and derivation from the above description andfigures are included in the scope of the present invention as defined bythe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device comprising: a memory storing afirst blockchain and a second blockchain in which the computing deviceparticipates, the first blockchain supporting a first plurality ofcomputing devices, the second blockchain supporting a second pluralityof computing devices, a first progressive jackpot being supported by afirst account defined within the first blockchain and a second accountdefined within the second blockchain; and at least one processorconfigured to execute instructions which, when executed, cause the atleast one processor to: identify a plurality of deposit transactions forthe first account within the first blockchain; determine a total sumamount of the plurality of deposit transactions; create a depositblockchain transaction for the second account in the second blockchainthat includes the total sum amount; and transmit the deposit blockchaintransaction to one or more computing devices of the second plurality ofcomputing devices for addition to the second blockchain.
 2. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause theat least one processor to: identify a first blockchain transaction forthe second account within the second blockchain, the first blockchaintransaction including at a transaction value; create a second blockchaintransaction for the first account in the first blockchain, the secondblockchain transaction including at least the transaction value; and addthe second blockchain transaction to the first blockchain.
 3. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause theat least one processor to: identify an occurrence of a win event by awinning electronic gaming device from the first plurality of computingdevices, the win event identifying a win of the first progressivejackpot by the winning electronic gaming device; create a withdrawalblockchain transaction including at least a jackpot value; and transmitthe withdrawal blockchain transaction to one or more nodes of the secondplurality of computing devices for addition to the second blockchain. 4.The computing device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the firstblockchain and the second blockchain further includes a smart contractconfigured to execute upon detection of a win notification blockchaintransaction, wherein execution of the smart contract includes:identifying an account ID associated with the first progressive jackpot;determining a jackpot value of the first progressive jackpot based onthe account ID; and transmitting a message to a winning deviceidentified within the win notification blockchain transactionauthorizing payment of the jackpot value.
 5. The computing device ofclaim 1, wherein the first progressive jackpot is a linked progressivejackpot, wherein one or more of the first blockchain and the secondblockchain is configured to allow deposit transactions from one or moreelectronic gaming machines and disallow withdrawal transactions fromblockchain participating nodes other than a controlling node associatedwith the one or more of the first blockchain and second blockchain. 6.The computing device of claim 1, wherein the computing deviceparticipates in a blockchain network that is a permissioned blockchainof private nodes participating in one or more of the first blockchainand the second blockchain, wherein the permissioned blockchain executesa consensus protocol not including a proof of work protocol.
 7. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the first progressive jackpot is astand-alone progressive (SAP) jackpot local to a first electronic gamingmachine of the first plurality of computing devices, wherein the firstblockchain is configured to disallow withdrawal transactions fromelectronic gaming devices in the first blockchain other than thecomputing device.
 8. A computer-implemented method for providing amulti-tier blockchain network supporting progressive jackpots, themethod comprising: identifying, by a computing device participating in afirst blockchain and a second blockchain, a plurality of deposittransactions for a first account within the first blockchain, the firstblockchain supporting a first plurality of computing devices, the secondblockchain supporting a second plurality of computing devices, a firstprogressive jackpot being supported by the first account defined withinthe first blockchain and a second account defined within the secondblockchain; determining a total sum amount of the plurality of deposittransactions; creating a deposit blockchain transaction for the secondaccount in the second blockchain that includes the total sum amount; andtransmitting, by the computing device, the deposit blockchaintransaction to one or more computing devices of the second plurality ofcomputing devices for addition to the second blockchain.
 9. The methodof claim 8, further comprising: identifying a first blockchaintransaction for the second account within the second blockchain, thefirst blockchain transaction including at a transaction value; creatinga second blockchain transaction for the first account in the firstblockchain, the second blockchain transaction including at least thetransaction value; and adding the second blockchain transaction to thefirst blockchain.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:identifying an occurrence of a win event by a winning electronic gamingdevice from the first plurality of computing devices, the win eventidentifying a win of the first progressive jackpot by the winningelectronic gaming device; creating a withdrawal blockchain transactionincluding at least a jackpot value; and transmitting the withdrawalblockchain transaction to one or more nodes of the second plurality ofcomputing devices for addition to the second blockchain.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein one or more of the first blockchain and the secondblockchain further includes a smart contract configured to execute upondetection of a win notification blockchain transaction, whereinexecution of the smart contract includes: identifying an account IDassociated with the first progressive jackpot; determining a jackpotvalue of the first progressive jackpot based on the account ID; andtransmitting a message to a winning device identified within the winnotification blockchain transaction authorizing payment of the jackpotvalue.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first progressive jackpotis a linked progressive jackpot, wherein one or more of the firstblockchain and the second blockchain is configured to allow deposittransactions from one or more electronic gaming machines and disallowwithdrawal transactions from blockchain participating nodes other than acontrolling node associated with the one or more of the first blockchainand second blockchain.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the computingdevice participates in a blockchain network that is a permissionedblockchain of private nodes participating in one or more of the firstblockchain and the second blockchain, wherein the permissionedblockchain executes a consensus protocol not including a proof of workprotocol.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the first progressivejackpot is a stand-alone progressive (SAP) jackpot local to a firstelectronic gaming machine of the first plurality of computing devices,wherein the first blockchain is configured to disallow withdrawaltransactions from electronic gaming devices in the first blockchainother than the computing device.
 15. A non-transitory, computer-readablestorage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least oneprocessor, are configured to cause the at least one processor to:identify, by a computing device participating in a first blockchain anda second blockchain, a plurality of deposit transactions for a firstaccount within the first blockchain, the first blockchain supporting afirst plurality of computing devices, the second blockchain supporting asecond plurality of computing devices, a first progressive jackpot beingsupported by the first account defined within the first blockchain and asecond account defined within the second blockchain; determine a totalsum amount of the plurality of deposit transactions; create a depositblockchain transaction for the second account in the second blockchainthat includes the total sum amount; and transmit, by the computingdevice, the deposit blockchain transaction to one or more computingdevices of the second plurality of computing devices for addition to thesecond blockchain.
 16. The non-transitory, computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further configured tocause the at least one processor to: identify a first blockchaintransaction for the second account within the second blockchain, thefirst blockchain transaction including at a transaction value; create asecond blockchain transaction for the first account in the firstblockchain, the second blockchain transaction including at least thetransaction value; and add the second blockchain transaction to thefirst blockchain.
 17. The non-transitory, computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein the instructions are further configured tocause the at least one processor to: identifying an occurrence of a winevent by a winning electronic gaming device from the first plurality ofcomputing devices, the win event identifying a win of the firstprogressive jackpot by the winning electronic gaming device; creating awithdrawal blockchain transaction including at least a jackpot value;and transmitting the withdrawal blockchain transaction to one or morenodes of the second plurality of computing devices for addition to thesecond blockchain.
 18. The non-transitory, computer-readable storagemedium of claim 15, wherein one or more of the first blockchain and thesecond blockchain further includes a smart contract configured toexecute upon detection of a win notification blockchain transaction,wherein execution of the smart contract includes: identifying an accountID associated with the first progressive jackpot; determining a jackpotvalue of the first progressive jackpot based on the account ID; andtransmitting a message to a winning device identified within the winnotification blockchain transaction authorizing payment of the jackpotvalue.
 19. The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim15, wherein the first progressive jackpot is a linked progressivejackpot, wherein one or more of the first blockchain and the secondblockchain is configured to allow deposit transactions from one or moreelectronic gaming machines and disallow withdrawal transactions fromblockchain participating nodes other than a controlling node associatedwith the one or more of the first blockchain and second blockchain. 20.The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 15,wherein the computing device participates in a blockchain network thatis a permissioned blockchain of private nodes participating in one ormore of the first blockchain and the second blockchain, wherein thepermissioned blockchain executes a consensus protocol not including aproof of work protocol.